IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi attended the launch of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest novel, Dream Count, over the weekend at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.

The book, released on Monday, March 3, 2025, explores the lives, loves, and aspirations of four women.

Obi shared details of the event on social media, noting that approximately 3,000 people were in attendance.

"I arrived in London, United Kingdom, safely on Sunday morning, March 2, for a busy schedule," he wrote.

"I traveled via Air Peace business class, as I typically do for long-haul flights, especially when I need to begin work immediately upon arrival.

"After arriving, I headed to Cambridge for scheduled meetings with development experts, where we discussed potential solutions to Nigeria’s challenges. Later in the day, I attended Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s book launch at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall."

Obi described Adichie’s conversation with journalist and author Elizabeth Day as insightful and engaging, holding the audience’s attention throughout the event.

He emphasized that the occasion was not just a celebration of literary excellence but also a reminder of Nigeria’s vast potential if the country prioritizes education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation—key components of the Human Development Index (HDI).

Reflecting on the discussions about Nigeria’s future and Adichie’s inspiring performance, Obi expressed optimism about the nation’s prospects.

“With the energy and brilliance of our youth, a shared commitment, and good governance, the dream of a better Nigeria is within reach. I remain confident that all hope is not lost. A new Nigeria is POssible!” he wrote. 

 In a landmark move for the country’s digital sports sector, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially inaugurated the board of the E-Sports Federation of Nigeria. The event, held on Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, underscores Nigeria’s commitment to embracing the global esports industry.

During his keynote address, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko emphasized the federation's mission to position Nigeria competitively on the international esports stage while providing opportunities for young Nigerians in the fast-growing digital sports ecosystem. Speaking to the media after the inauguration, NSC Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade highlighted the transformative potential of esports in Nigeria.

"Esports will energize and encourage the youth to thrive in the digital space. It is a sport that engages millions, with stakeholders estimating its reach at around 46 million individuals," Olopade stated. He acknowledged the long-standing challenges in unifying Nigeria’s esports community and emphasized that the establishment of the federation is a crucial step in leveraging a global industry valued at nearly $30 billion.

"For about six years, there has been a struggle to organize the E-Sports Federation. Unifying esports stakeholders to work as one is a step in the right direction. I congratulate the NSC and all Nigerians—it’s the beginning of great things for the sports industry," he added. Olopade further reiterated that sports, including esports, hold immense potential for job creation and economic development.

"As a former Commissioner for Sports, I can authoritatively say that sports is a powerful tool for job creation, youth engagement, and national development. We want every sport to be an influential contributor to our country’s GDP." The banking sector has also signaled its support for this initiative. Speaking at the event, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, MD/CEO of the Bank of Industry, assured stakeholders that the financial sector is ready to back the newly established esports federation.

The newly inaugurated board consists of 13 members, with Yahaya Maikori serving as President and Pedro Damilola as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Other board members include:

Emmanuel Oyelakin

Sunny Gullong

Sidney Esiri

Suzan Adenoyi

Ikechukwu Okoye

Kunmi Adenipebi (Technical Representative)

Tunde Onakoya (International Representative)

Musa Sanusi (Athlete Representative)

Rita Izoje (NAWIS Representative)

Clinton Agbor (NAFA Representative/Vice President)

The establishment of the E-Sports Federation of Nigeria marks a new era for digital sports in the country, setting the stage for greater investment, youth participation, and international recognition. 

Nigerian banks have stocked their ATMs with cash following the implementation of a N100 withdrawal fee on March 1, 2025, in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s revised policy.

Under the new structure, withdrawals from an individual's bank’s ATMs remain free, but customers using other banks' ATMs will be charged N100 for withdrawals of N20,000 or less at on-site ATMs (located within bank premises). Off-site ATMs, such as those in malls or fuel stations, will incur an additional surcharge of up to N500 per transaction. International withdrawals will attract cost-recovery-based charges.

A survey of ATMs across Lagos showed that most banks had updated their machines to notify users of the new charges before processing withdrawals.

Meanwhile, customers have expressed frustration over the additional cost, citing economic hardship. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have condemned the policy, urging the CBN and the government to suspend the charges. They argue that the new fees further burden already struggling Nigerians.

The CBN has advised customers to use their bank’s ATMs or alternative payment channels, such as mobile apps and POS devices, to avoid the charges. 

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has identified major obstacles to implementing the July 11, 2024, Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy.

Key Challenges:

749 out of 774 local governments have yet to submit their bank account details, a key requirement for receiving direct allocations.

Determining which LGAs have democratically elected leadership remains a challenge.

Government Efforts to Resolve Issues:

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Technical Sub-Committee discussed the issue during a recent meeting chaired by AGF Oluwatoyin Madein.

The OAGF and the Attorney General’s Office have begun discussions to address the setbacks.

Only Delta State’s 25 local governments have submitted their account details so far.

CBN’s Role & ALGON’s Concerns:

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started profiling local government chairmen and bank signatories to ensure financial accountability.

However, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) claims they have not been contacted for signatory verification.

Supreme Court Ruling & Current Status:

The Supreme Court ruled on July 11, 2024, that state governors can no longer control local government funds.

The Accountant-General was directed to pay allocations directly to LGAs.

Eight months later, financial autonomy is yet to take effect, with the delay linked to unresolved administrative issues.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has assured residents that his administration will implement the Supreme Court’s recent judgment after reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC). 

The ruling invalidated the October 2024 local government elections and ordered the suspension of federal allocations to the state’s councils. In response, Fubara directed Heads of Local Government Administration to take over pending fresh elections. The judgment has sparked reactions from South-South leaders, with some calling for a political resolution while others criticize the court's decision. 

Kaduna – The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has voiced concern over the ongoing dispute in the 10th Senate involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF acknowledged the gravity of the allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation raised by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which have fueled public debate.

The group warned that various reactions, including statements from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, could damage the National Assembly’s reputation. It also expressed concern that the dispute may be undermining the representation of Kogi Central in the Senate.

Additionally, the ACF raised fears of bias against Northern Senators, citing recent sanctions targeting lawmakers from the region. The group urged an independent and transparent investigation to ensure fairness and prevent political interference.

The forum called on the Senate to refocus on lawmaking, especially as Nigerians face economic hardships. It also urged the Northern Caucus to support Akpoti-Uduaghan in securing a fair hearing and demanded that the National Assembly uphold integrity and discipline.

Emphasizing the need to protect the Senate’s credibility, the ACF urged all involved parties to prioritize national interest and preserve the institution’s integrity both locally and internationally.